Rationalizing with Parents

So I'm looking at two d3 schools after a long time of thinking and be enjoyed every second of the recruiting journey. I have my heart set on one of them but my parents are making me wait until we get all the financial aid stuff and play the colleges against each other. As of now the difference is around 4 grand in favor of my second choice.

Just a little background on the teams:
First choice- great school, really up and coming program, love te atmosphere all around and definitely where id love to go. They have some cool features for my major as well. I'd definitely have to compete for a starting spot which I'm totally okay with. I love the competition and I feel like this program has the right mindset to get to Memorial Day in the future. I want to be apart of that.
Second choice- again, a great school. Fairly new program and a well known coach. Still growin. There's an oppurtunity to play immediately. Frat academic programs as well. Have some friends on the team as well but if it wasn't really for them idk if I would give a lot of consideration them.

So the problem here is...bc there's a 4 grand difference, my parents want me to go to my second choice unless I've totally convinced myself out of it. They can't rationalize spending an extra 4 grand for me to play better lax at a school that if it weren't for lacrosse I wouldn't have looked at either of them. Yeah I get that it should be academics, but I want to play at the top level I'm able to my last four years of a sport that is my life. Any ideas guys? I've tried everything with looking at their programs more and trying to find jobs on campus as well

August 2010 issue of US Lacrosse pg 15 Winner of Question of the Month

Rationalizing with Parents

We're talking a $16000 difference over 4Y which honestly isn't as significant as it seems. You're parents wouldn't even have to pay it, you could just get a Stafford Loan every year.

To rationalize I'd say that being able to go to your first choice will motivate you academically and athletically. You're paying more and your parents don't see the reason why but you do. There is something about the school and the program that makes you not only want to be a part of it but also work hard to be. You have to try start and if you're grades aren't there or if you aren't showing leadership ability off the field you won't so I'm sure you'll do whatever you can to. Second choice sounds like if you aren't in the mindset to work hard it will turn into a party every day. If you only consider a school for the friends that go there it'll also be the only thing you consider when you have to choose between them and anything else you do on campus.

It will be hard to get a job on campus. Student athletes have mandatory study halls, work outs, meetings, and practices. You're going to want to have whatever free time you get away from athletics or academics. You can get a summer job or coach to cover the $4000. And if you do well freshman year you can apply for some outside scholarships or maybe your major department offers scholarships to sophomores.

Let them know it's better to pay a couple thousand more than waste everything by risking you going to a school you are unsure about.

Re: Rationalizing with Parents

The point is you only go to college once, and it is supposed to be the best times of your life. There is one place you want to be, and that school is it. This is more the emotional appeal, that you should just use as a small little piece after using the rationale AYCE presented.

Everything yields to diligence.
- Antiphanes

Apparently everything I put in my signature Ptbo has a problem with. So I'm done trying.

Re: Rationalizing with Parents

Here is another way to look at it: which school would you rather spend 4 years attending and being a graduate of if for some reason you could not continue to play lacrosse? That is a great way to make sure you are covering all your bases because it seems like you would enjoy lacrosse at either school. But do not underestimate how important your college experience will be in terms of your long range career, networking, relationships, etc. Good luck!

Re: Rationalizing with Parents

thanks for the help guys! i think the 4 grand difference was with the loan though... but i sent back the financial to my first choice and they gave me a another 2 which helped alot. I talked it out with my parents and i'm able to go to my first choice! just committed today and couldn't be happier

August 2010 issue of US Lacrosse pg 15 Winner of Question of the Month